PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Effects of disturbances and environmental changes on an aridland riparian generalist
items: The impact of sanctuary visits on children’s knowledge and attitudes toward primate welfare and conservation
items: Diverse migration patterns and seasonal habitat use of Stone’s sheep (Ovis dalli stonei)
items: Physiologic effects of surgical masking in children versus adults
items: Weighted multiple testing procedures in genome-wide association studies
items: Development of the first high-density linkage map in the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais
items: Habitat-use of the vulnerable Atlantic Nurse Shark: a review
items: Psychological changes in athletes infected with Omicron after return to training: fatigue, sleep, and mood
items: Medium-term acoustic monitoring of small cetaceans in Patagonia, Chile
items: Anthropogenic noise decreases activity and calling behavior in wild mice

Effects of disturbances and environmental changes on an aridland riparian generalist
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Anthropogenic climate change and ecosystem disturbances can detrimentally affect habitats and species. Areas with concentrated biodiversity, such as aridland riparian zones, often yield the greatest number of vulnerable species. A better understanding of ecological and environmental relationships can guide more effective conservation strategies. We used both visual transects and external (tape) radio telemetry to study the behavioral and spatial ecology of black-necked gartersnakes (Thamnophis cyrtopsis; n = 81)—a dietary generalist yet aquatic habitat specialist—in a heterogenous aridland riparian zone of lower Sabino Canyon, Tucson, Arizona, between 2018 and 2021. Our objectives were to (1) understand how extrinsic conditions influence population ecology dynamics, including immediately prior to and after major disturbances and environmental extremes; (2) analyze behavioral activity and microhabitat usage in relation to environmental factors; and (3) assess the efficacy of a less-invasive telemetry strategy. Between late spring 2020 and early summer 2021, ecosystem disturbances included near-record heat and drought, wildfire, and low overwinter precipitation. Many aquatic habitats either completely dried or were spatially disjunct; gartersnake prey species were noticeably sparse. Extreme drought rapidly shifted to excessive flooding during the 2021 monsoon that brought above-average streamflow magnitude and duration. Between 2019 and 2021, we observed a dramatic decline in T. cyrtopsis; odds of detection reduced by 92.8% (CI [56.0–99.1%]). Strong spatiotemporal links relative to the extent and timing of available surface water appear important. Prior to the onset of monsoonal stream recharge in early summer, shallow and drying aquatic habitats are used as parturition sites and foraging grounds; all age classes took advantage to corral fishes trapped in isolated and shrinking pools. Ambient conditions had varying effects on gartersnake behaviors. Variation in microh…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Brian R. Blais
creator: Samantha L. Johnson
creator: John L. Koprowski
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Climate Change Biology
subject: Natural Resource Management
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15563
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Blais et al.
abstract: Anthropogenic climate change and ecosystem disturbances can detrimentally affect habitats and species. Areas with concentrated biodiversity, such as aridland riparian zones, often yield the greatest number of vulnerable species. A better understanding of ecological and environmental relationships can guide more effective conservation strategies. We used both visual transects and external (tape) radio telemetry to study the behavioral and spatial ecology of black-necked gartersnakes (Thamnophis cyrtopsis; n = 81)—a dietary generalist yet aquatic habitat specialist—in a heterogenous aridland riparian zone of lower Sabino Canyon, Tucson, Arizona, between 2018 and 2021. Our objectives were to (1) understand how extrinsic conditions influence population ecology dynamics, including immediately prior to and after major disturbances and environmental extremes; (2) analyze behavioral activity and microhabitat usage in relation to environmental factors; and (3) assess the efficacy of a less-invasive telemetry strategy. Between late spring 2020 and early summer 2021, ecosystem disturbances included near-record heat and drought, wildfire, and low overwinter precipitation. Many aquatic habitats either completely dried or were spatially disjunct; gartersnake prey species were noticeably sparse. Extreme drought rapidly shifted to excessive flooding during the 2021 monsoon that brought above-average streamflow magnitude and duration. Between 2019 and 2021, we observed a dramatic decline in T. cyrtopsis; odds of detection reduced by 92.8% (CI [56.0–99.1%]). Strong spatiotemporal links relative to the extent and timing of available surface water appear important. Prior to the onset of monsoonal stream recharge in early summer, shallow and drying aquatic habitats are used as parturition sites and foraging grounds; all age classes took advantage to corral fishes trapped in isolated and shrinking pools. Ambient conditions had varying effects on gartersnake behaviors. Variation in microh…
bibliographic citation: Blais et al. (2023) Effects of disturbances and environmental changes on an aridland riparian generalist. PeerJ 11:e15563 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15563
date submitted: 2022-10-06
date accepted: 2023-05-24
issued: 2023-06-19
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Blais
  given name: Brian R.
author list: Agent
  family name: Johnson
  given name: Samantha L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Koprowski
  given name: John L.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15563
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-19
copyright: © 2023 Blais et al.
attribution name: Blais et al.

The impact of sanctuary visits on children’s knowledge and attitudes toward primate welfare and conservation
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Primate sanctuaries provide a solution for the increasing number of primates being taken from their home countries to support the demands of the illegal pet trade. To help end the primate trade and raise awareness about the risks this trade poses to delicate ecosystems, sanctuaries are increasingly developing conservation education programs. Education and raising awareness must be one of the primary roles of primate sanctuaries. However, there are few evaluations of the impacts of conservation education programs for school children published in scientific literature. To address this gap, we conducted an evaluation of educator-led visits of school children at Fundació Mona, a primate sanctuary located in Catalunya, Spain. Questionnaires for an experimental and control group were conducted with 3,205 school children, ages 8 to 18 from 83 different schools, to evaluate changes in their attitudes and knowledge of primate welfare and conservation. We found that Fundació Mona’s program of environmental activities had a positive impact on children, both female and male students, in terms of attitudes and knowledge of primate welfare and conservation. Although female students gave better responses regarding welfare and conservation, all children showed gains in pro-conservation responses. This study demonstrates that environmental education activities focused on children can help shape a change in knowledge and attitudes toward primate welfare and conservation. Educator-led visits of school children to primate sanctuaries such as Fundació Mona can also serve to amplify biodiversity conservation messages among children and their families. We encourage primate sanctuaries to promote empirical studies of attitudes and knowledge of primate welfare and conservation and to conduct systematical evaluations to strengthen their educational activities.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Olga Feliu
creator: Arturo González-Zamora
creator: David Riba
creator: Teresa Sauquet
creator: Sònia Sánchez-López
creator: Carmen Maté
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Anthropology
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15074
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Feliu et al.
abstract: Primate sanctuaries provide a solution for the increasing number of primates being taken from their home countries to support the demands of the illegal pet trade. To help end the primate trade and raise awareness about the risks this trade poses to delicate ecosystems, sanctuaries are increasingly developing conservation education programs. Education and raising awareness must be one of the primary roles of primate sanctuaries. However, there are few evaluations of the impacts of conservation education programs for school children published in scientific literature. To address this gap, we conducted an evaluation of educator-led visits of school children at Fundació Mona, a primate sanctuary located in Catalunya, Spain. Questionnaires for an experimental and control group were conducted with 3,205 school children, ages 8 to 18 from 83 different schools, to evaluate changes in their attitudes and knowledge of primate welfare and conservation. We found that Fundació Mona’s program of environmental activities had a positive impact on children, both female and male students, in terms of attitudes and knowledge of primate welfare and conservation. Although female students gave better responses regarding welfare and conservation, all children showed gains in pro-conservation responses. This study demonstrates that environmental education activities focused on children can help shape a change in knowledge and attitudes toward primate welfare and conservation. Educator-led visits of school children to primate sanctuaries such as Fundació Mona can also serve to amplify biodiversity conservation messages among children and their families. We encourage primate sanctuaries to promote empirical studies of attitudes and knowledge of primate welfare and conservation and to conduct systematical evaluations to strengthen their educational activities.
bibliographic citation: Feliu et al. (2023) The impact of sanctuary visits on children’s knowledge and attitudes toward primate welfare and conservation. PeerJ 11:e15074 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15074
date submitted: 2022-10-04
date accepted: 2023-02-23
issued: 2023-06-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Feliu
  given name: Olga
author list: Agent
  family name: González-Zamora
  given name: Arturo
author list: Agent
  family name: Riba
  given name: David
author list: Agent
  family name: Sauquet
  given name: Teresa
author list: Agent
  family name: Sánchez-López
  given name: Sònia
author list: Agent
  family name: Maté
  given name: Carmen
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15074
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-16
copyright: ©2023 Feliu et al.
attribution name: Feliu et al.

Diverse migration patterns and seasonal habitat use of Stone’s sheep (Ovis dalli stonei)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: We describe temporal and spatial patterns of seasonal space-use and migration by 16 GPS-collared Stone’s sheep (Ovis dalli stonei) from nine bands in the Cassiar Mountains of northern British Columbia, Canada. Our objectives were to identify the timing of spring and fall migrations, characterize summer and winter ranges, map and describe migration routes and use of stopover sites, and document altitudinal change across seasons. Our last objective was to assess individual migration strategies based on patterns of geographic migration, altitudinal migration, or residency. Median start and end dates of the spring migration were 12 and 17 Jun (range: 20 May to 05 Aug), and of the fall migration were 30 Aug and 22 Sep (range: 21 Aug to 07 Jan). The median area of winter and summer ranges for geographic migrants were 630.8 ha and 2,829.0 ha, respectively, with a broad range from about 233.6 to 10,196.2 ha. Individuals showed high fidelity to winter ranges over the limited duration of the study. The winter and summer ranges of most individuals (n = 15) were at moderate to high elevations with a median summer elevation of 1,709 m (1,563–1,827 m) and 1,673 m (1,478–1,751 m) that varied <150 m between ranges. Almost all collared females (n = 14) exhibited changes in elevation use that coincide with abbreviated altitudinal migration. Specifically, these females descended to lower spring elevations from their winter range (Δ > 150 m), and then gradually moved up to higher-elevation summer ranges (Δ > 150 m). In the fall, they descended to lower elevations (Δ > 100 m) before returning to their higher winter ranges. The median distance travelled along geographic migration routes was 16.3 km (range: 7.6–47.4 km). During the spring migration, most geographic migrants (n = 8) used at least one stopover site (median = 1.5, range: 0–4), while almost all migrants (n = 11) used stopover sites more frequently in the fall (median = 2.5, range: 0–6). Of the 13 migratory individuals that ha…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Grace E. Enns
creator: Bill Jex
creator: Mark S. Boyce
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15215
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Enns et al.
abstract: We describe temporal and spatial patterns of seasonal space-use and migration by 16 GPS-collared Stone’s sheep (Ovis dalli stonei) from nine bands in the Cassiar Mountains of northern British Columbia, Canada. Our objectives were to identify the timing of spring and fall migrations, characterize summer and winter ranges, map and describe migration routes and use of stopover sites, and document altitudinal change across seasons. Our last objective was to assess individual migration strategies based on patterns of geographic migration, altitudinal migration, or residency. Median start and end dates of the spring migration were 12 and 17 Jun (range: 20 May to 05 Aug), and of the fall migration were 30 Aug and 22 Sep (range: 21 Aug to 07 Jan). The median area of winter and summer ranges for geographic migrants were 630.8 ha and 2,829.0 ha, respectively, with a broad range from about 233.6 to 10,196.2 ha. Individuals showed high fidelity to winter ranges over the limited duration of the study. The winter and summer ranges of most individuals (n = 15) were at moderate to high elevations with a median summer elevation of 1,709 m (1,563–1,827 m) and 1,673 m (1,478–1,751 m) that varied <150 m between ranges. Almost all collared females (n = 14) exhibited changes in elevation use that coincide with abbreviated altitudinal migration. Specifically, these females descended to lower spring elevations from their winter range (Δ > 150 m), and then gradually moved up to higher-elevation summer ranges (Δ > 150 m). In the fall, they descended to lower elevations (Δ > 100 m) before returning to their higher winter ranges. The median distance travelled along geographic migration routes was 16.3 km (range: 7.6–47.4 km). During the spring migration, most geographic migrants (n = 8) used at least one stopover site (median = 1.5, range: 0–4), while almost all migrants (n = 11) used stopover sites more frequently in the fall (median = 2.5, range: 0–6). Of the 13 migratory individuals that ha…
bibliographic citation: Enns et al. (2023) Diverse migration patterns and seasonal habitat use of Stone’s sheep (Ovis dalli stonei). PeerJ 11:e15215 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15215
date submitted: 2022-07-11
date accepted: 2023-03-20
issued: 2023-06-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Enns
  given name: Grace E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Jex
  given name: Bill
author list: Agent
  family name: Boyce
  given name: Mark S.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15215
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-16
copyright: ©2023 Enns et al.
attribution name: Enns et al.

Physiologic effects of surgical masking in children versus adults
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Surgical masks remain a focal part of the CDC guidelines to decrease COVID-19 transmission. Evidence refuting significant effects of masking on ventilation is mostly limited to small studies, with a paucity of studies on children, and none comparing children to adults. Methods A total of 119 subjects were enrolled (71 adults, 49 children) in a prospective interventional study with each subject serving as their own mask-free control. End tidal CO2 (ETCO2), inspired CO2 (ICO2), and respiratory rate were measured by nasal cannula attached to an anesthesia machine D-fend module. Pulse oximetry and heart rate were also followed. After the mask-free period, an ASTM Level 3 disposable surgical mask was donned and 15 min of mask-worn data were collected. Results A steady state was confirmed for ETCO2 and ICO2 over the masked period, and mean ICO2 levels rose significantly (p < 0.001) after masking in all age groups. The increase in ICO2 for the 2- to 7-year-old group of 4.11 mmHg (3.23–4.99), was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the final ΔICO2 levels for both the 7- to 14-year-old group, 2.45 mmHg (1.79–3.12), and adults, 1.47 mmHg (1.18–1.76). For the pediatric group there was a negative, significant correlation between age and ΔICO2, r = −0.49, p < 0.001. Masking resulted in a statistically significant (p < 0.01) rise in ETCO2 levels of 1.30 mmHg in adults and 1.36 mmHg in children. The final respective ETCO2 levels, 34.35 (33.55–35.15) and 35.07 (34.13–36.01), remained within normal limits. Pulse oximetry, heart rate, and respiratory rate were not significantly affected. Discussion The physiology of mechanical dead space is discussed, including the inverse relationship of subject age vs ICO2. The methodology and results are compared to previously published studies which detracted from the physiologic safety of surgical masking. Conclusions The wearing of a surgical mask results in a statistically significant rise in ICO2 and a smaller rise in ETCO2. Beca…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: J Patrick Brooks
creator: Jill Layman
creator: Jessica Willis
subject: Clinical Trials
subject: Drugs and Devices
subject: Pediatrics
subject: Respiratory Medicine
subject: COVID-19
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15474
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Brooks et al.
abstract: Background Surgical masks remain a focal part of the CDC guidelines to decrease COVID-19 transmission. Evidence refuting significant effects of masking on ventilation is mostly limited to small studies, with a paucity of studies on children, and none comparing children to adults. Methods A total of 119 subjects were enrolled (71 adults, 49 children) in a prospective interventional study with each subject serving as their own mask-free control. End tidal CO2 (ETCO2), inspired CO2 (ICO2), and respiratory rate were measured by nasal cannula attached to an anesthesia machine D-fend module. Pulse oximetry and heart rate were also followed. After the mask-free period, an ASTM Level 3 disposable surgical mask was donned and 15 min of mask-worn data were collected. Results A steady state was confirmed for ETCO2 and ICO2 over the masked period, and mean ICO2 levels rose significantly (p < 0.001) after masking in all age groups. The increase in ICO2 for the 2- to 7-year-old group of 4.11 mmHg (3.23–4.99), was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the final ΔICO2 levels for both the 7- to 14-year-old group, 2.45 mmHg (1.79–3.12), and adults, 1.47 mmHg (1.18–1.76). For the pediatric group there was a negative, significant correlation between age and ΔICO2, r = −0.49, p < 0.001. Masking resulted in a statistically significant (p < 0.01) rise in ETCO2 levels of 1.30 mmHg in adults and 1.36 mmHg in children. The final respective ETCO2 levels, 34.35 (33.55–35.15) and 35.07 (34.13–36.01), remained within normal limits. Pulse oximetry, heart rate, and respiratory rate were not significantly affected. Discussion The physiology of mechanical dead space is discussed, including the inverse relationship of subject age vs ICO2. The methodology and results are compared to previously published studies which detracted from the physiologic safety of surgical masking. Conclusions The wearing of a surgical mask results in a statistically significant rise in ICO2 and a smaller rise in ETCO2. Beca…
bibliographic citation: Brooks et al. (2023) Physiologic effects of surgical masking in children versus adults. PeerJ 11:e15474 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15474
date submitted: 2023-02-03
date accepted: 2023-05-07
issued: 2023-06-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Brooks
  given name: J Patrick
author list: Agent
  family name: Layman
  given name: Jill
author list: Agent
  family name: Willis
  given name: Jessica
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15474
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-16
copyright: © 2023 Brooks et al.
attribution name: Brooks et al.

Weighted multiple testing procedures in genome-wide association studies
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Multiple testing procedures controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) are increasingly used in the context of genome wide association studies (GWAS), and weighted multiple testing procedures that incorporate covariate information are efficient to improve the power to detect associations. In this work, we evaluate some recent weighted multiple testing procedures in the specific context of GWAS through a simulation study. We also present a new efficient procedure called wBHa that prioritizes the detection of genetic variants with low minor allele frequencies while maximizing the overall detection power. The results indicate good performance of our procedure compared to other weighted multiple testing procedures. In particular, in all simulated settings, wBHa tends to outperform other procedures in detecting rare variants while maintaining good overall power. The use of the different procedures is illustrated with a real dataset.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ludivine Obry
creator: Cyril Dalmasso
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Genomics
subject: Statistics
subject: Data Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15369
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Obry et al.
abstract: Multiple testing procedures controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) are increasingly used in the context of genome wide association studies (GWAS), and weighted multiple testing procedures that incorporate covariate information are efficient to improve the power to detect associations. In this work, we evaluate some recent weighted multiple testing procedures in the specific context of GWAS through a simulation study. We also present a new efficient procedure called wBHa that prioritizes the detection of genetic variants with low minor allele frequencies while maximizing the overall detection power. The results indicate good performance of our procedure compared to other weighted multiple testing procedures. In particular, in all simulated settings, wBHa tends to outperform other procedures in detecting rare variants while maintaining good overall power. The use of the different procedures is illustrated with a real dataset.
bibliographic citation: Obry et al. (2023) Weighted multiple testing procedures in genome-wide association studies. PeerJ 11:e15369 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15369
date submitted: 2022-09-16
date accepted: 2023-04-17
issued: 2023-06-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Obry
  given name: Ludivine
author list: Agent
  family name: Dalmasso
  given name: Cyril
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15369
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-15
copyright: ©2023 Obry et al.
attribution name: Obry et al.

Development of the first high-density linkage map in the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, is a worldwide pest that disproportionately affects subsistence farmers in developing countries. Damage from this pest threatens food security in these communities as widely available and effective control methods are lacking. With advances over the last decade in the development of genetic pest management techniques, addressing pest issues at the ecosystem level as opposed to the farm level may be a possibility. However, pest species selected for genetic management techniques require a well-characterized genome and few genomic tools have been developed for S. zeamais. Here, we have measured the genome size and developed the first genetic linkage map for this species. The genome size was determined using flow cytometry as 682 Mb and 674 Mb for females and males, respectively. The linkage map contains 11 linkage groups, which correspond to the 10 autosomes and 1 X-chromosome found in the species and it contains 1,121 SNPs. This linkage map will be useful for assembling a complete genome for S. zeamais.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jennifer Fountain Baltzegar
creator: Fred Gould
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Entomology
subject: Genetics
subject: Genomics
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15414
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Baltzegar and Gould
abstract: The maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, is a worldwide pest that disproportionately affects subsistence farmers in developing countries. Damage from this pest threatens food security in these communities as widely available and effective control methods are lacking. With advances over the last decade in the development of genetic pest management techniques, addressing pest issues at the ecosystem level as opposed to the farm level may be a possibility. However, pest species selected for genetic management techniques require a well-characterized genome and few genomic tools have been developed for S. zeamais. Here, we have measured the genome size and developed the first genetic linkage map for this species. The genome size was determined using flow cytometry as 682 Mb and 674 Mb for females and males, respectively. The linkage map contains 11 linkage groups, which correspond to the 10 autosomes and 1 X-chromosome found in the species and it contains 1,121 SNPs. This linkage map will be useful for assembling a complete genome for S. zeamais.
bibliographic citation: Baltzegar et al. (2023) Development of the first high-density linkage map in the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais. PeerJ 11:e15414 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15414
date submitted: 2022-12-09
date accepted: 2023-04-24
issued: 2023-06-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Baltzegar
  given name: Jennifer Fountain
author list: Agent
  family name: Gould
  given name: Fred
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15414
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-15
copyright: © 2023 Baltzegar and Gould
attribution name: Baltzegar and Gould

Habitat-use of the vulnerable Atlantic Nurse Shark: a review
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Human activities have led to the loss of critical habitats for aquatic species at such an accelerated rate that habitat modification is considered a leading threat to biodiversity. Sharks and rays are considered the second most threatened group of vertebrates that have also suffered from habitat loss, especially in nursery grounds and reef-associated species. In this sense, actions toward the conservation of critical grounds for species survival are urgently needed, especially for those threatened with extinction. This study aimed to gather and provide information on the worldwide distribution and habitat association of the ‘vulnerable’ Atlantic Nurse Shark Ginglymostoma cirratum through a literature review performed at the Dimensions research database. A total of 30 studies published between 1950 and 2021 were retained since they defined at least the type of habitat in which G. cirratum was associated. Most studies covered the Floridian ecoregion, where G. cirratum is more common and abundant. Reefs, seagrass, sandy, rocky, mangrove, and macroalgae accounted for the majority of habitat associations, with a higher diversity of habitats detected within marine protected areas (MPAs). Ginglymostoma cirratum was recorded at a maximum depth of 75 m, temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 34 °C, and salinities between 31 and 38 ppt. Neonates were associated with shallower habitats (<20 m), mostly reefs, rocks, macroalgae, sandy shores, and seagrass, in an average temperature of 26 °C and salinity of 36 ppt. Breeding events and habitats were reported by 11 studies, 72.7% of them in shallow waters, mostly inside MPAs (90.9%). Our findings highlighted the key role played by MPAs in protecting essential grounds for threatened species, such as the Atlantic Nurse Shark. Major ecoregions (e.g., the Eastern Atlantic) are still underrepresented in the scientific literature as long as studies aim specifically to assess G. cirratum habitat association. Thus, further insights into the es…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Vanessa Brito Bettcher
creator: Ana Clara Sampaio Franco
creator: Luciano Neves dos Santos
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15540
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Bettcher et al.
abstract: Human activities have led to the loss of critical habitats for aquatic species at such an accelerated rate that habitat modification is considered a leading threat to biodiversity. Sharks and rays are considered the second most threatened group of vertebrates that have also suffered from habitat loss, especially in nursery grounds and reef-associated species. In this sense, actions toward the conservation of critical grounds for species survival are urgently needed, especially for those threatened with extinction. This study aimed to gather and provide information on the worldwide distribution and habitat association of the ‘vulnerable’ Atlantic Nurse Shark Ginglymostoma cirratum through a literature review performed at the Dimensions research database. A total of 30 studies published between 1950 and 2021 were retained since they defined at least the type of habitat in which G. cirratum was associated. Most studies covered the Floridian ecoregion, where G. cirratum is more common and abundant. Reefs, seagrass, sandy, rocky, mangrove, and macroalgae accounted for the majority of habitat associations, with a higher diversity of habitats detected within marine protected areas (MPAs). Ginglymostoma cirratum was recorded at a maximum depth of 75 m, temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 34 °C, and salinities between 31 and 38 ppt. Neonates were associated with shallower habitats (<20 m), mostly reefs, rocks, macroalgae, sandy shores, and seagrass, in an average temperature of 26 °C and salinity of 36 ppt. Breeding events and habitats were reported by 11 studies, 72.7% of them in shallow waters, mostly inside MPAs (90.9%). Our findings highlighted the key role played by MPAs in protecting essential grounds for threatened species, such as the Atlantic Nurse Shark. Major ecoregions (e.g., the Eastern Atlantic) are still underrepresented in the scientific literature as long as studies aim specifically to assess G. cirratum habitat association. Thus, further insights into the es…
bibliographic citation: Bettcher et al. (2023) Habitat-use of the vulnerable Atlantic Nurse Shark: a review. PeerJ 11:e15540 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15540
date submitted: 2023-01-16
date accepted: 2023-05-21
issued: 2023-06-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Bettcher
  given name: Vanessa Brito
author list: Agent
  family name: Franco
  given name: Ana Clara Sampaio
author list: Agent
  family name: Santos
  given name: Luciano Neves dos
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15540
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-15
copyright: © 2023 Bettcher et al.
attribution name: Bettcher et al.

Psychological changes in athletes infected with Omicron after return to training: fatigue, sleep, and mood
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background This study aims to analyze the changes of approximately 1 month in fatigue, sleep, and mood in athletes after returning to training following infection with the COVID-19 Omicron strain and provide recommendations for returning to training after infection. Methods Two hundred and thirty professional athletes who had returned to training after being infected with COVID-19 in December 2022 were recruited to participate in three tests conducted from early January 2023. The second test was completed approximately 1 week after the first, and the third was completed about 2 weeks after the second. Each test consisted of completing scales and the exercise-induced fatigue measure. The scales included a visual analog scale, the Athens Insomnia Scale for non-clinical application, and the Depression-Anxiety-Stress scale. The exercise task was a six-minute stair climb test, and athletes evaluated subjective fatigue levels before and after exercise using another Visual Analog Scale and the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale. Results After returning to training, athletes’ physical fatigue decreased initially but increased as training progressed. Cognitive fatigue did not change significantly. The exercise task led to elevated levels of physical fatigue after a longer duration of training. Sleep quality problems decreased rapidly after the start of training but remained stable with prolonged training. Depression levels continued to decline, while anxiety levels only reduced after a longer duration of training. Stress levels decreased rapidly after the start of training but did not change with prolonged training. Conclusion Athletes who return to training after recovering from COVID-19 experience positive effects on their fatigue, sleep, and mood. It is important to prioritize anxiety assessment and interventions during the short period after returning and to continue monitoring fatigue levels and implementing recovery interventions over a longer period of time.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Chenhao Tan
creator: Jinhao Wang
creator: Guohuan Cao
creator: Yelei He
creator: Jun Yin
creator: Yudan Chu
creator: Zhizhong Geng
creator: Longji Li
creator: Jun Qiu
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Public Health
subject: Mental Health
subject: COVID-19
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15580
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Tan et al.
abstract: Background This study aims to analyze the changes of approximately 1 month in fatigue, sleep, and mood in athletes after returning to training following infection with the COVID-19 Omicron strain and provide recommendations for returning to training after infection. Methods Two hundred and thirty professional athletes who had returned to training after being infected with COVID-19 in December 2022 were recruited to participate in three tests conducted from early January 2023. The second test was completed approximately 1 week after the first, and the third was completed about 2 weeks after the second. Each test consisted of completing scales and the exercise-induced fatigue measure. The scales included a visual analog scale, the Athens Insomnia Scale for non-clinical application, and the Depression-Anxiety-Stress scale. The exercise task was a six-minute stair climb test, and athletes evaluated subjective fatigue levels before and after exercise using another Visual Analog Scale and the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale. Results After returning to training, athletes’ physical fatigue decreased initially but increased as training progressed. Cognitive fatigue did not change significantly. The exercise task led to elevated levels of physical fatigue after a longer duration of training. Sleep quality problems decreased rapidly after the start of training but remained stable with prolonged training. Depression levels continued to decline, while anxiety levels only reduced after a longer duration of training. Stress levels decreased rapidly after the start of training but did not change with prolonged training. Conclusion Athletes who return to training after recovering from COVID-19 experience positive effects on their fatigue, sleep, and mood. It is important to prioritize anxiety assessment and interventions during the short period after returning and to continue monitoring fatigue levels and implementing recovery interventions over a longer period of time.
bibliographic citation: Tan et al. (2023) Psychological changes in athletes infected with Omicron after return to training: fatigue, sleep, and mood. PeerJ 11:e15580 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15580
date submitted: 2023-04-17
date accepted: 2023-05-25
issued: 2023-06-15
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tan
  given name: Chenhao
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Jinhao
author list: Agent
  family name: Cao
  given name: Guohuan
author list: Agent
  family name: He
  given name: Yelei
author list: Agent
  family name: Yin
  given name: Jun
author list: Agent
  family name: Chu
  given name: Yudan
author list: Agent
  family name: Geng
  given name: Zhizhong
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Longji
author list: Agent
  family name: Qiu
  given name: Jun
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15580
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-15
copyright: © 2023 Tan et al.
attribution name: Tan et al.

Medium-term acoustic monitoring of small cetaceans in Patagonia, Chile
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Coastal dolphins and porpoises such as the Chilean dolphin (Cephalorhynchus eutropia), the Peale’s dolphin (Lagenorhynchus australis), and the Burmeister’s porpoise (Phocoena spinipinnis) inhabit the remote areas of Chilean Patagonia. Human development is growing fast in these parts and may constitute a serious threat to such poorly known species. It is thus urgent to develop new tools to try and study these cryptic species and find out more about their behavior, population levels, and habits. These odontocetes emit narrow-band high-frequency (NBHF) clicks and efforts have been made to characterize precisely their acoustic production. Passive acoustic monitoring is a common way to study these animals. Nevertheless, as the signal frequency is usually higher than 100 kHz, storage problems are acute and do not allow for long-term monitoring. The solutions for recording NBHF clicks are usually twofold: either short duration, opportunistic recording from a small boat in presence of the animals (short-term monitoring) or long-term monitoring using devices including a click detector and registering events rather than sound. We suggest, as another possibility, medium-term monitoring, arguing that today’s devices have reached a level of performance allowing for a few days of continual recording even at these extremely high frequencies and in difficult conditions, combined with a long-term click detector. As an example, during 2021, we performed a quasi-continuous recording for one week with the Qualilife High-Blue recorder anchored in a fjord near Puerto Cisnes, Region de Aysen, Chile. We detected more than 13,000 clicks, grouped in 22 periods of passing animals. Our detected clicks are quite similar to precedent results but, due to the large number of clicks recorded, we find a larger variability of parameters. Several rapid sequences of clicks (buzz) were found in the recordings and their features are consistent with previous studies: on average they have a larger bandwidt…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Julie Patris
creator: Franck Malige
creator: Madeleine Hamame
creator: Hervé Glotin
creator: Valentin Barchasz
creator: Valentin Gies
creator: Sebastian Marzetti
creator: Susannah Buchan
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Zoology
subject: Computational Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15292
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Patris et al.
abstract: Coastal dolphins and porpoises such as the Chilean dolphin (Cephalorhynchus eutropia), the Peale’s dolphin (Lagenorhynchus australis), and the Burmeister’s porpoise (Phocoena spinipinnis) inhabit the remote areas of Chilean Patagonia. Human development is growing fast in these parts and may constitute a serious threat to such poorly known species. It is thus urgent to develop new tools to try and study these cryptic species and find out more about their behavior, population levels, and habits. These odontocetes emit narrow-band high-frequency (NBHF) clicks and efforts have been made to characterize precisely their acoustic production. Passive acoustic monitoring is a common way to study these animals. Nevertheless, as the signal frequency is usually higher than 100 kHz, storage problems are acute and do not allow for long-term monitoring. The solutions for recording NBHF clicks are usually twofold: either short duration, opportunistic recording from a small boat in presence of the animals (short-term monitoring) or long-term monitoring using devices including a click detector and registering events rather than sound. We suggest, as another possibility, medium-term monitoring, arguing that today’s devices have reached a level of performance allowing for a few days of continual recording even at these extremely high frequencies and in difficult conditions, combined with a long-term click detector. As an example, during 2021, we performed a quasi-continuous recording for one week with the Qualilife High-Blue recorder anchored in a fjord near Puerto Cisnes, Region de Aysen, Chile. We detected more than 13,000 clicks, grouped in 22 periods of passing animals. Our detected clicks are quite similar to precedent results but, due to the large number of clicks recorded, we find a larger variability of parameters. Several rapid sequences of clicks (buzz) were found in the recordings and their features are consistent with previous studies: on average they have a larger bandwidt…
bibliographic citation: Patris et al. (2023) Medium-term acoustic monitoring of small cetaceans in Patagonia, Chile. PeerJ 11:e15292 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15292
date submitted: 2022-01-06
date accepted: 2023-04-04
issued: 2023-06-14
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Patris
  given name: Julie
author list: Agent
  family name: Malige
  given name: Franck
author list: Agent
  family name: Hamame
  given name: Madeleine
author list: Agent
  family name: Glotin
  given name: Hervé
author list: Agent
  family name: Barchasz
  given name: Valentin
author list: Agent
  family name: Gies
  given name: Valentin
author list: Agent
  family name: Marzetti
  given name: Sebastian
author list: Agent
  family name: Buchan
  given name: Susannah
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15292
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-14
copyright: ©2023 Patris et al.
attribution name: Patris et al.

Anthropogenic noise decreases activity and calling behavior in wild mice
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Animals rely on sound for daily activities, and anthropogenic noise is a pollutant that alters the natural soundscape within which they are active. As human infrastructure expands, broadband anthropogenic noise increases, which can affect behaviors of nocturnal animals. Mice are nocturnal animals that produce ultrasonic calls as part of their behavioral repertoire. Methods We assessed effects of anthropogenic and natural noise on the behaviors of wild deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and woodland jumping mice (Napaeozapus insignis), two species of mice that produce ultrasonic calls. We measured activity, foraging behavior at a foraging tray, and calling behavior to broadcasts of natural and anthropogenic noise, compared to a baseline with no broadcasting, at 25 focal areas in the Southern Appalachian Mountain Range of North Carolina, USA. Results Deer mice exposed to anthropogenic noise spent less time in focal areas with broadcasted anthropogenic noise. Mice took longer to begin foraging in the presence of anthropogenic noise, they spent less time at the foraging tray, and left fewer husks but consumed the same number of seeds as mice exposed to natural noise. Deer mice were less likely than woodland jumping mice to be the first to enter the focal area and approach food when in the presence of anthropogenic noise. Both species produced few ultrasonic calls in the presence of broadcasted natural and anthropogenic noise compared to their baseline level of calling. We present the first calls recorded from woodland jumping mice. Conclusion Anthropogenic noise affects activity, foraging behavior, and calling behavior of nocturnal mice. Natural noise also affects the calling behavior of mice. Mouse species respond differently to anthropogenic noise, with deer mice appearing more sensitive to anthropogenic noise than woodland jumping mice. Responses to noise could have important effects on the ecology of mice and these two species respond differently. Species…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Radmila Petric
creator: Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15297
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Petric and Kalcounis-Rueppell
abstract: Background Animals rely on sound for daily activities, and anthropogenic noise is a pollutant that alters the natural soundscape within which they are active. As human infrastructure expands, broadband anthropogenic noise increases, which can affect behaviors of nocturnal animals. Mice are nocturnal animals that produce ultrasonic calls as part of their behavioral repertoire. Methods We assessed effects of anthropogenic and natural noise on the behaviors of wild deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and woodland jumping mice (Napaeozapus insignis), two species of mice that produce ultrasonic calls. We measured activity, foraging behavior at a foraging tray, and calling behavior to broadcasts of natural and anthropogenic noise, compared to a baseline with no broadcasting, at 25 focal areas in the Southern Appalachian Mountain Range of North Carolina, USA. Results Deer mice exposed to anthropogenic noise spent less time in focal areas with broadcasted anthropogenic noise. Mice took longer to begin foraging in the presence of anthropogenic noise, they spent less time at the foraging tray, and left fewer husks but consumed the same number of seeds as mice exposed to natural noise. Deer mice were less likely than woodland jumping mice to be the first to enter the focal area and approach food when in the presence of anthropogenic noise. Both species produced few ultrasonic calls in the presence of broadcasted natural and anthropogenic noise compared to their baseline level of calling. We present the first calls recorded from woodland jumping mice. Conclusion Anthropogenic noise affects activity, foraging behavior, and calling behavior of nocturnal mice. Natural noise also affects the calling behavior of mice. Mouse species respond differently to anthropogenic noise, with deer mice appearing more sensitive to anthropogenic noise than woodland jumping mice. Responses to noise could have important effects on the ecology of mice and these two species respond differently. Species…
bibliographic citation: Petric et al. (2023) Anthropogenic noise decreases activity and calling behavior in wild mice. PeerJ 11:e15297 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15297
date submitted: 2023-01-06
date accepted: 2023-05-01
issued: 2023-06-14
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Petric
  given name: Radmila
author list: Agent
  family name: Kalcounis-Rueppell
  given name: Matina
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15297
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-14
copyright: ©2023 Petric and Kalcounis-Rueppell
attribution name: Petric and Kalcounis-Rueppell

PeerJ
type: Periodical
uri: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359